11 11. The horse is getting bored.
The empire was completely in total chaos when the news about the great villainess Luna Vandross spread to the streets, nooks, and crannies of all places.
Nobles and commoners were all gossiping; sharing their doubts and opinions on it. Some are quietly waiting for any further information, some are openly thinking it was all just a farce, and many raise a rally.
The palace guards are all stationed at the main entrance. The ministers are all busy with the necessary actions to prevent further disruption of peace and order.
And on a meeting room on the west wing of the palace, a discussion is currently in progress.
It was the king together with some magicians and ministers. They were planning to put the empire under a live broadcast through magic stones that were placed in landmarks, nodes, open public spaces, and points of the whole country.
The magicians of the Magus Tower headed by their Archmage; Ares Arcana, are currently setting up a wide area spell to make the live broadcast possible.
The Magus Tower is an entire tower allocated for all magicians who are working under the king's reign. They are the ones responsible for creating, inventing, and developing many things such as spells, potions, magic stones, portals, and such that benefit the empire.
A green-haired tall man wearing a black coat with blue linings approached the king who kept looking outside the window.
"Your Majesty, the setting is complete." His droopy eyes dare not to meet the gaze of the king, so he bowed his head while speaking instead.
The archmage of the tower is known for his unwavering respect and loyalty to the owner of the throne.
That was because Ares Arcana was just a mere orphan adopted by the former archmage of the tower due to his intelligence and mana. And it was the current king, Renvillon who was barely nine years old at the time, who discovered his potential and believed in his magic.
"We shall start then," Renvillon replied.
The two headed back to the center and went to their own position.
The king is seated in the middle while his ministers are standing behind him with Ares, and the magicians are carefully watching their magic in case some error occurs during the recording.
When the huge magic circle in front of them started rotating, the magicians behind gave their cue to start.
So, the king began to speak.
"Good day, citizens of Semaria. I, the king of this empire, Renvillon Ignis Semaria will personally inform you of the matters regarding Lady Luna Evangeline Vandross."
The voice of the king echoed to every street. Everyone stopped what they were doing and watched the face of the emperor appearing in the air from a magic stone.
"Unfortunately, the news in the headlines of today's newspapers is not false. The original soul of Lady Vandross had already died and perished. What remained was just a shell being occupied by another soul."
Murmurs erupted from the people.
Many are wondering if that is even possible.
"It might be hard to believe, but the Holy Nation's great Saintess and highest priest personally came to confirm it. The death of Lady Vandross occurred when she was still inside the castle's dungeon." The king paused for a moment, reminded of what the woman who came from another world said about the lady's death. "She had committed suicide, even before the execution."
The murmurs on the streets, corners, and open spaces intensified. But only one question seemed to float above the others.
How could a murderer kill herself?
"In addition, the soul that possessed the empty body was the subject of the prophecy, so the Holy Nation had to come. The soul had already been brought to them." Renvillon's face was void of emotions. A king should always wear a mask to hide his weakness. So, whenever Renvillon would face people, he would always wear an expressionless cover.
"To the families of the victims, I know this may bring rage and you may all feel unfairness and injustice, but a soul being perished unable to be reborn again, isn't it more cruel punishment than decapitation?" Although his words sounded convincing, his heart was feeling guilty. The case of what really is the truth behind all the murders that involved the lady was now painted in doubts and unsteadiness. But there he was, the king, even more urging the citizens to condemn her soul. Innocent may she be or not.
His head throbbed painfully.
"I hope that my words reached all of you and that rallies will stop and rebellions may not occur. Let us return to being a peaceful country once more. That is all. Good day."
The magic circle stopped rotating.
Magic stones retract their transparent lights that flashed the emperor's face a while ago.
People continued on their tracks and went on with their work.
But a certain man sitting on his luxurious chair inside a well-decorated office was showing a grim and dangerous look on his face.
He stood and walked ahead to a closed cabinet.
He grabbed the handle and pulled it. Inside the box, was a framed photo of a beautiful lady sporting black hair and black eyes.
The hand of the man stroked the smiling face in the photo. When he lifted his fingers, the photo revealed its true facade. An emotionless and unsmiling face of the same woman was captured stealthily.
He now realized why the expression on the face of the lady the last time he saw her was filled with confusion and a bit stupid.
She was already someone he didn't know.
His mind became occupied with many things.
His hatred towards the woman was so immense that he personally handled her capture and sent her to the guillotine.
But his insane affection towards the same woman remains.
He thought of how that face would really look if it smiled widely. He pictured her face laughing so heartily towards him. He dreamed of that same face showing worry when he's injured, or anger when he ripped her books, or jealousy when he's spending time with others and neglecting her.
A Luna where emotions exist.
A Luna that is full of different emotions.
His own preferred Luna.
The man smiled evilly. He thought that there would be no way in his life those fantasies would become reality.
Now, he's thinking it is possible.
No.
He would make it possible.
"Luna should be mine once more."
He whispered to himself.
* * * *
The Grand Duchy of Adri is located in the northern part of the empire where winter hits differently.
Even the temperature in summer is mildly cold. That's why the northern territory of the Grand Duke was a perfect vacation spot during summer. Nobles from the capital, most especially from the southern part always visit his land.
This made the people earn more income. And increased the economy of his territory. In short, the grand duchy is very abundant and wealthy.
From inns, restaurants, cafes, and tourist spots. The places are bustling and businesses are booming during the summers.
This is why the Grand Duke is currently reviewing a pile of documents on his table. Some papers are deeds of lands being leased to entrepreneurs requiring his approval as the lord of the land. A few are business proposals, invitations, and even marriage proposals.
He gathered the marriage proposals and tossed them out of his table. He sorted the invitation and looked for a royal seal, he found none so he tossed it on the other side. He ignored the business letters and focused on the land deeds.
"Did you do an investigation on the backgrounds of these businessmen?" Kyden asked his only companion in the room, standing quietly in the corner, watching his master litter.
He was the Grand Duke's attendant.
Sir Marcus Nerville. He was the same age as the Grand Duke, the two are basically friends. But Marcus never forgets to treat his master whenever eyes are watching.
But now that there are only two of them in the room, he doesn't need to be so serious.
"Of course. You always remind me to check for possible dangers and threats."
"Glad you didn't forget. " Kyden reached the fountain pen and signed the papers. "Make sure to orient them about the regulations within my territory, if they complied then proceed with the contract signing." He said then passed the papers on to Marcus.
"Sure. How about the business proposals?"
"The ideas are infeasible."
"Marriage proposals?"
"The idea is.... too early."
Kyden immediately stood and headed to the door.
"Tsk. You're at the age of planting seeds to inherit the farm, your grace."
Kyden only chuckled at the figurative speech. His friend always nags him about planting seeds and popping cherries. But he always finds his words ridiculous, so he would always laugh at it. Marcus Nerville was a child born in the slums, but gifted. Instead of working at the palace, on which he would probably climb a high rank, he chose to work for the Grand Duke. All because of his insecurities about his speech, attitude, and origin.
Only the Grand Duke, who played with him on the streets, made him comfortable.
Kyden sneaked out immediately. Like he always did when he was younger, he would jump out of an open balcony and create a slide made of ice.
The heat of the summer is mild, and the air is fresh and windy. Trees and flowers are in full bloom.
Kyden reached the top of his castle and looked down on the bustling streets of his territory. He then shifted his gaze toward a distant land not visible to his eyes.
Four seasons have passed twice since then.
